NARRATIVE OF GEORGE FISHER; Wm. and Mary Qrtly., Vol. 17, No. 3 Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** NARRATIVE OF GEORGE FISHER(1) (Continued from page 139). Notwithstanding the menaces of this worthy mortal (Col. Lee), that I should repent my not letting [him] have my Lease, we went on extremely well, and as I had foreseen, I let out into Tenements as much as amounted to Forty-Six pounds a year, receiving [reserving?] also much the better and larger part for my own use. I had too as much business as we really wished for and my stock, the very considerable my own; and besides a number of debts due to me in Trade. I could and did frequently assist others on an emergency with Twenty or Thirty Pistoles(2) at a time; but this flourishing situation unhappily attracted the envy and rancour of many people besides my Landlord. But the enemy of greatest consequence which yet appeared openly was one Mr. John Holt a merchant and the then Mayor of this City. This man was a friend and a known dependent of the honourable William Nelson, Esq., but it was utterly unaccountable what could induce him to become my enemy. I never did nor aimed to do him the least injury in my life, tho' he maintained an intimacy with my Son, a Boy of 17 years of age, very disadvantageous to me. He was obliged to me for laying out large sums of money with _________________________________________________________________ (1)George Fisher was the father of Daniel Fisher, whose son George died in Richmond, March 25, 1857. The last married Anne Ambler, daughter of Jaquelin Ambler. Du Bellet, Some Prominent Virginia Families, I., 51. (2)A pistole was equivalent to a quarter of a doubloon, or $3.90 Page 148. him frequently for Goods, for which he was always duely paid in Cash, a thing here not extremely common, he never dealing with me, except once for two dozen of Madeira Wine when for goodness, there was none such elsewhere to be had. This smooth . . . . fellow, one day to my great surprise lodged a complaint against me in the Court where he was Mayor for selling Rum to Negroes contrary to Law. In my defence, I told the Court I craved no other favour than strict and impartial Justice, desiring Mr. Holt might produce his evidence in support of his information. Upon which he took notice of the great difficulty he was under in that case, as the Law did not admit a Negro to be an evidence against a white person. But to blow off his . . . , I acquainted the Court, that I made not the least objection to the Negro evidence, and if Mr. Holt would produce but one such of a reputable character, as a Negro, who would only say, I had ever let a Negro have any spiritous liquors without the leave or order of the Master or Mistress, or any person whatever in less quantity than a Pint, I should esteem it a just reason for a restraining my selling; that no Negro had ever been served with Rum by my family, I would not presume to say, but I would undertake to affirm that not one merchant in the Town who sold Rum at all was so cautious of letting any Negro be supplied with rum, without a written or Verbal leave as myself. That it was very well known my family had been frequently ridiculed for being scrupulous in this matter, and I was ready to prove, if they would give me leave, by indisputable evidence, that my family had turned away two Negroes on one day, for the want of such authority, who went directly from my house to Mr. Holt's, and was then served without the least scruple whatever. This put the Court in a flame, and I was openly ordered to be silent. But one of the magistrates, Mr. John Blair(1), a gentleman whom I had not the least acquaintance with stood up, and said he thought I had a just a right to accuse Mr. Holt - tho' one ____________________________________________________ (1)This was probably John Blair, Jr., a relative of Hon. John Blair, member of the Virginia Council. QUARTERLY, VII., p. 34. Page 149. of that Bench - of an offense, as he had accused me, Justice being no respecter of Persons. However, Mr. Holt saying he had no other ground for his information, save Common Fame, and I telling them of the Court, they were as well acquainted with common fame as Mr. Holt could be, they inclined to drop the affair. But one Mr. John Greenhow, another merchant in Town (infamously remarkable for trafficking with Negroes in wine, or any other commodity, Sunday not excepted), requesting to have his lease extended another year, Mr. Holt stood up again, and in a sanctified speech, informed the Court that he never heard of Mr. Greenhow being guilty of the practice of selling liquior to Negroes - whereupon addressing myself to the bystanders, as well as to the Court, I desired all present to take notice what an arrant strumpet this same Common Fame was, who had informed this worthy Gentleman Mr. Holt of my being guilty of this vile practice, and of Mr. Greenhow's innocence of the Fact; this put the Court again in a hubbub, and I was again called to order; one of the Justices, Mr. Prentis(1), telling me they desired none of my compassions. Yet all this was done so publicly in the face of the whole town, it was thought proper to allow me the liberty of selling as usual and to refuse Mr. Greenhow. Nevertheless I was since informed by Mr. Holt's or some greater influence Mr. Greenhow(2) had the liberty granted the next Court Day. This affair happened in think in March, 1754. Tho' Mr. Holt failed here in executing his own (or I know not whose) malice, Providence was very soon pleased to put in his power to glut the most rancorous disposition; and he _________________________________________________________________ (1)William Prentis, father of Judge Joseph Prentis, and partner of John Blair and Wilson cary in merchandizing. For an account of the Prentis family, see QUARTERLY, VI., 125, 190. (2)John Greenhow, a prominent merchant of Williamsburg, was born in Stainton, near Kendall, in Westmoreland County, Great Britain. He was grandfather of Robert Greenhow, of Washington, who wrote the History of Oregon, and of Samuel C. Greenhow, late treasurer of Richmond. QUARTERLY, VII., 17. Page 150. did not neglect the opportunity; for on Saturday the 24th of April, 1754, about 8 in the Evening, I being just got to bed my Daughter alarmed me with the cry of Fire at a neighbor's house, one Mr. Palmer(1), an Atty; there was our good friend Mr. Walthoe's house only between which and us; the apartment where the fire began was a back room or counting house joining to a store next Mr. Walthoe's(2), which was let to a merchant (Mr. Osborn) who was gone to England to fetch over his Family, and by the neglect of his Brother-in-Law who kept the Store in his absence, in leaving a fire too carelesly in the said room, while he staid longer than he intended at a Public House, the floor first catched and then the window curtains. With any tolerable management, the fire might easily [have] been extinguished, but nothing was sure for a great while but uproar, confusion and disorder. Some persons, whether with a good or bad intention was never known, gave the word that there was a large quantity of Gun Powder in the store, which struck a general terror for a considerable time, and the rope to my well, the nearest and only water within a good way, was broke or cut after drawing the first or second bucket. Mr. Palmer's well indeed was close by the room where the fire kindled, but the Cry of Gun Powder hindered that from being used till it grew too hot to stand at all in that place. The ______________________________________________________________ (1) John Palmer, attorney-at-law, was bursar of the College. He married Elizabeth Lowe Tyler, widow of Bowcock, and died in 1760. In the Virginia Gazette for April 11, 1775, John Tyler, of "Indian Fields", Charles City County, advertises "for sale the brick house and its appurtenances, near the Capitol in Williamsburg, belonging to the daughters of the late John Palmer". By Mr. Bowcock, Elizabeth Lowe Tyler had a daughter, Mary Bowcock. (2)Nathaniel Walthoe came to Virginia before 1744, when he was clerk of the General Assembly. He was later Secretary of the Council, in which office he continued till his death in 1772. He left his property in Williamsburg to his sister, Henrietta Marmillod, and his neices, Mary and Martha Hart, of Great Britain. (Hening, Statutes at Large, VIII., 627). There is a portrait of Nathaniel Walthoe at Brandon, formerly in the collection of portraits at Westover. Page 151. running off with the goods was the chief thing minded, tho' the great bugbear of the Gun Powder was neglected, till at the last a Negro of Mr. Walthoe it is said, got up (it being kept just over the store or shop) and tumbled one of the barrels into the street, but the flames having then burst into that room also, the man was obliged to jump down himself to save his life. This was a little less than an hour after the fire was discovered. When the Powder Catched, the whole rrom (covered with shingles, indeed we have no other) was in a blaze. Between the east end of Mr. Walthoe's house and this in flames, was a void space of about Thirty foot, and the wind directly at west, a strong Gale, so that but from the effects of the Gun Powder, there was no great danger, or had his house been covered with Tile slate or any other material not combustible, it had nevertheless remained safe. But the explosion of the Gun Powder, (the roof then all in a blaze) scattered the firebrands upon Mr. Walthoe's house, already heated or dryed like tinder by the adjacent flames, set his house also in- stantly in a blaze. Had his house been covered with wet bags or blankets, that would have preserved it, but for more than an hour not a ladder (or other useful implement) could hardly be met with. My Pails, Buckets, Tubs, Axes, Spades, etc., etc., were indeed delivered im- mediately, but except the well bucket which was secured at the bottom of the well, I never received one thing any more. The Capitol, tho' more than 200 feet distant, was by its eastern sitution in great dnager of being burnt a second time, the shingles catching several times. But that being better attended and supplyed with water, etc., etc., it was preserved, tho' at a considerable expense, the assistants there being well paid: whereas, save what Mr. Wathoe gave out of his own Pocket to Persons who pretended to have aided at Mr. Palmer's and his own house, the recompence of the helpers in general consisted in what they ran away with, of the substance of the sufferers. Between the West end of Mr. Walthoe's and the East end of my house, was a void space of no more than about four foot, Yet as the explosion was over, without affecting me, and Page 152. the wind continued to blow still strong at West, I would not suffer any of my goods to be removed out of my house, which was then beset by great numbers of lazy negroes, calmly viewing the Bon Fire. I spoke to a knot of these, exhorting them very civilly to assist in drawing or fetching water, etc., but received a surly reply with an Oath of who will pay us? But my good friend, Mr. John Holt, the Chief Magistrate, countenanced and supported by many others no better affected to me than himself, at this instant authorized and commanded these Black Spectators to level or pull down my house to the ground, under the pretence of its being for the Public good by preventing the flames spreading farther into Town. Several of these worthy Patriots too insisting that it was the property of Fire to run against the wind. This Righteous order was no sooner issued, than these Lazy fellows became the most in- dustrious people in the world. For in a moment my doors which I had locked or barred, were all broke open, and every part of my house filled with Negroes innumerable, and under the pretence of assisting in my distress, ran away with whatever of my substance they thought fit. My Cellar in particular being so crowded, that they could hardly stand one by another. Every room in my house was also very full, breaking open all my chests of Drawers, Trunks, Boxes, Desks, etc. throwing my good loose out of the windows into the street. Nor, in the Scene of Confusion and destruction, was a single person, (white or black) directed to superintend or take the least care of my being robbed or plundered, but on the contrary such things as Plate, Glass, China, etc., etc., was, without exception, thus tossed out of the windows, into the streets, even in the view of those whose proper business it was to have protected me from such violences. And altho' this night was remarkably cold and piercing, not a single soul had the humanity in these afflicting circumstances to point out a barn or Stable to Shelter (I don't say my wife and Daughter) but my two young Children. It is not possible for me to compute the damages I sus- Page 153. tained in this unparalleled depredation on my goods and every commodity I dealt in as well as Liquors. Of Plate only, I lost seven table and Five or six tea Spoons and a silver hilted sword; a Silver Mug. These thrown out of a Chamber Window were luckily secured by one Mr. Tarpley(1) of this place, the moment it was picked up by another person; and another large handsome Sword brass mounted with a Silver gripor was carried off, tho' recovered six months afterwards by the peculiarity of the make as described in the publick Paper. This had been a time in the possession of the before mentioned Mr. Greenhow, who it seems received of his Mayor. An exploit like this, one would think, must have fully satisfied the vengeance of not only Col. Lee, Mr. Holt, and Mr. Wetherburn, but of every other envious or malicious mortal, but it was far otherwise. Before I quit this extraordinary piece of business, it is necessary that I should observe that just as all the injury that could well be done to me was completed, and that part of our substance carried into the garden (the fences of which being all thrown down) and My Wife and Children as a guard shivering around it; at this time a Gentleman (Mr. Benjm. Grymes) arrived and seeing the mob so busy in pulling down the house, desired to know the meaning of the shocking violence which had been committed; he put an immediate stop to their outrage, intimating that they might easily make themsleves sensible of the absurdity of the inhuman order, by turning their faces to the wind; and stepping up himself upon the East end of my house next the flames with the aid of three or four such hands, stopped entirely the spreading of the Fire without any further devastation. _____________________________________________________________ (1)James Tarpley, a prominent merchant of Williamsburg, who in 1761 donated to Bruton Church the historic bell which still swings in the steeple. He was the son of John Tarpley, of Williamsburg, and Elizabeth Ripping, daughter of Capt. Edward Ripping. The will of Edward Ripping, proved at Yorktown, August 19, 1734, names his daughter, Elizabeth, wife of John Tarpley, and grandsons, Edward, James, and Quintus Tarpley. John Tarpley was the son of Col. John Tarpley, of Richmond County, and Anne Glasscock, his wife. Page 154. My circumstances being now so reduced, I turned my mind toward my former plan of going to Philadelphia in search of employment. In a kind letter from Mr. Nelson Dated ----- he said to me, if you think of any thing in which I can really serve you, you may freely apply to me. The young man whose name was Armstrong, brother-in-law to Mr. Osborne with whom the care of the store was intrusted, and to whose neglect the breaking out of the fire is attributed, soon after his Brother's arrival, took a large dose of sublimate, which with great torture put an end to his days. This extraordinary act of power was I think the last that ever Mr. Holt was concerned in, in this country, for in less than a month he quitted the place, leaving many of his creditors in the lurch, such especially who were not in the premeditated scheme of breaking. He is gone it seems to New York and some of his cronies don't scruple to say, he will still become a greater man than ever(1). This honest man's goods and effects, being to be sold off June 11th at Public out cry, the honourable Wm. Nelson and John Robinson Esqrs., being the Trustees, and Mr. John Palmer an Attorney at Law, being the Chief Actor or Clerk _________________________________________________________________ (1)John Holt was brother-in-law of William Hunter, Editor of the Virginia Gazette. He was born in 1720, received a good education; was a merchant; mayor of Williamsburg, and on his removal to New York was Editor of the New York Gazette and Post Boy. He was a strong friend of the Revolution and was printer to the State of New York. He died January 30, 1784, in the sixty-fourth year of his age, and his widow placed over his burial place in St. Paul's church- yard a gravestone, with eulogistic inscription, in which occur these lines. "For that he merited esteem is certain, the tongue of slander can't say less, though justice might say more" (Thomas, History of Printing). William Holt, who was also Mayor of Williamsburg, and Mary Holt, who married Rev. Samuel Davies, president of Princeton College, were children of John Holt, as is believed. William Holt died in 1791, and his daughter Elizabeth married William Coleman, had Thomas Coleman, who married Catherine Hill, daughter of Col. Baylor Hill, and they had Dr. Charles W. Coleman, late of Williamsburg, who died in 1894. Page 155. to this Trust, I among many others, attended this sale; and it unhappily falling out, that one Col. Bolling(1), a descendant from the famous Emperor Powhatan, tho' a person quite un- known to me, had a mind for the two things which I had bid for, instead of Civilly desiring me to desist, both times insulted me very coarsely. Mr. Wetherburn also happening to be there, took the opportunity of doing the same, telling Col. Bolling he should have the pleasure of joining with him in turning me out of the house I lived in, swearing, moreover, it should never be repaired or enclosed any more, so long as I continued in it. Is not this strange treatment of a Person who had never given the least cause of offence to one single creature in the Colony? One of the articles, I had bought and about which I had been insulted was a Tea-Table, and the next day I sent for it; but my servant returned without it, saying Mrs. Holt the wife of the Bankrupt bid her tell me, that I should not have it, for that it was bought by her. I then sent my Daughter, who was acquainted a little in the family, with my compliments to Mrs. Holt, that if there was anything I had purchased which she had an inclination to, I should be very ready to oblige her with; but begged I might not be treated with rudeness or contempt. To this, she as rudely replied, she would be under no obligation in the matter, for the Table which she had bought and would Keep. Whereupon, I waited upon Mrs. Holt myself, setting the whole affair in a clear light before her, as that it was upon my purchasing this very utensil that Col. Bolling the most insulted me; that Mr. Palmer, the Clerk, in particular was by, and a witness to my purchase; which however, as I had offered before, I was willing to relinguish to _____________________________________________________________ (1)John Bolling, born 1700, died 1757, married Elizabeth Blair, daughter of President John Blair, of Williamsburg, and after John Bolling's death his widow married Col. Richard Bland, of Jordan's. John Bolling was the son of Major John Bolling, who married Mary Kennon, and grandson of Robert Bolling, of Charles City County, who married Jane Rolfe, daughter of Thomas Rolfe, and granddaughter of John Rolfe and Pocahontas, his wife. Page 156. oblige her; but that I should not willingly submit to the scandal of claiming a thing as my property, which was another's. She still maintained her ridiculous haughty obstinacy in saying she would keep the Table without being obliged to me; for that Mr. Norton had bought it for her, and Mr. Palmer was a witness to it. Upon this I asked her whether she was willing that Mr. Palmer should determine the dispute? She said she was. This if I mistaken not was on a Saturday, and that Monday after, meeting Mr. Palmer at the Court of Hustings, I called him aside, acquainting him with the whole affair, informed him too, Mrs. Holt and I had agreed to make him our Lord Chancellor, requesting he would upon honor declare which of us bought the Mahogany Tea Table in dispute? He without the least hesitation replyed, "Mrs. Holt". I asked him again, if he was sure, being he would recollect himself: but with the utmost steadfastness, he persisted in affirming he was sure it was Mrs. Holt. Whereupon I said no more than, -- By my own agreement, it was now Mrs. Holt's right. Some day after Mr. Palmer called upon me to give bond for the payment of what I had bought (on six months' credit). I informed him, I should give him the money but, as I was not thoroughly satisfied about the Tea Table, I first expected a sight of his original paper, wherein he entered the Persons' names, who bought the goods as they were cryed out. This a little, and but a little, confounded him; for soon recollecting himself, he confessed that my name had been first orginally entered upon the paper to the article in dispute, but had been afterwards cancelled, and Mr. Norton's inserted thereof. On my asking by whom this change or alteration was made, he said he did not know, it was not done by him; and on my saying it was what he ought to have known, he replyed Mr. Price kept the paper sometimes as well as him. Having however thus acquired a thorough insight into this dexterous piece of Legerdemain, I paid my money without any more words. Had Mr. Palmer, who (tho' a neighbor) was a very stranger to me, or any other person, but said to me upon this occasion, "Mr. Fisher, upon the presumption of your being a Page 157. good natured man, I have taken the liberty of obliging Mrs. Holt with a piece of furniture which you bought and she had a mind to: I should have thanked him and esteemed his open manner of doing it, as an instance of his favour and good opinion of me. But to do it in the above forging clandestine way like a Thief or a Pick Pocket (setting aside the scandal which he aimed to throw upon me) is a piece of low, dirty drudgery, which Jonathan Wild would have scrupled giving his assent to, unless he had been very well paid for it. Mr. Palmer became now a very busy agent for Mr. Wetherburn against me, and beginning now to perceive or experimentally feel the Truth of what Mr. Randolph had affirmed in our Passage, tho' neither I nor any of my family had given any mortal just cause of offence, unless our being over- cautious of offending may be counted criminal, I determined on representing my case to Mr. Nelson in order to acquit my mind of some jealousy concerning his favoring the injurious assaults I had met with, and at the worst hoping to obtain from him that recommendation to Philadelphia he once profered me. Accordingly, reciting few only of the injuries and oppressions I laboured under [from] the Lees and Wetherburns and my treatment at the fire [which] I was particular in, I con- cluded, (without a view of redress) that I was inclined to accept of the generous offer he once made me; of a recommendation to Philadelphia. In answer to my very humble representation, I received a letter from him dated June 18, 1754, full of hauty sneers and illnatured unkind taunts (too much the wit of htis Country). He affected to receive the particular instances of cruelty and injustice I had exhibited as a general charge against the whole Country; who (he affectedly says), I think have not been remarkable for their inhumanity: "The particular reasons you may have for such a charge, I am a stranger to; nor do I care to enter into their defence, nor to say that a part may be owing to the uneasiness of your own disposition: But since you have represented yourself as a Just and Innocent man, injuriously used, give me leave to say, that if you have followed the practice of retailing Page 158. Liquors to Servants and Slaves as is generally reported and believed, (the very words of Mr. Holt) you ahve not been that inoffensive, harmelss member of society you would seem to be; however I shall not dispute with you about it". He however closed this benevolent epistle by telling me, if I have a mind to try a more hospitable Climate, he will give me such a letter as he thinks can answer. I had (foolishly enough) enclosed one of yours and one of Mr. W. D. Doswell's letters with the vain view of persuading him, that I was once in the esteem of worthy men of no mean figure but this only procured me a disdainful taunt in a Postscript in these words: "I return the enclosed, as they may afford some pleasure to you, tho' none to me." Convinced as I was by this letter that his Honor bore me no good will and however persuaded by the similitude of expressions, that what Mr. Holt had attempted against me at the Court of Hustings at least was Comportable to the sentiments of Mr. Nelson, besides no person, (they two excepted) having made the least mention, or even a jealously of any such matter; and having moreover received a number of other injuries and insults from the friends and de- pendents of Mr. Nelson, I determined on showing my resentment in a letter to him, tho' I shall first observe, my poor wife, struck with the Idea of his greatmess, and the dread of con- sequences, in my contending with so potent an adversary, came to such a difference with me upon what I expressed on my reception of hte above mentioned letter of June 18th that she separated bed and board from me. It is likewise to be noted that by Mr. Wetherburn's rancorous proceedings in not allowing the ruined part of my house to be repaired or the Pailing made good, whereby I lay open and exposed to many injuries, My habitation was broke open the ensuing winter no less than five times and I robbed of things of considerable value. Two of these times the Thieves were taken and my goods found upon them. First, a woman taken up at Norfolk, about 60 miles from this place who had robbed us of all my wife and Daughter's best linen Page 159. etc., which had escaped the plunderers at the fire such as Headcloths, Fine Aprons, Hand- kerchiefs, etc., etc., great part of which she was possessed of when taken. This woman being conveyed from one Parish Officer to another till she arrived at Williamsburg, in order to be secured in the Publick Gaol; happening at last to fall into the hands of Mr. John Palmer, the officer of this Parish, the dexterous and ingenious Gentleman concerned in transferring the Tea Table before mentioned from me to Mrs. Holt. He had no sooner viewed the Warrant and perceived the Woman was in Custody for robbing of me only, than he threw the warrant upon the ground with the utmost contempt, bidding the woman to go about her business, for he would have no concern in stopping of her. This honest Gentleman as well as Parish Officer is an Attorney too, and cannot pretend to say, he is ignorant of the importance of these matters to the Publick. The Thief, however escaped, and I lost all my Goods. The first time after this that I saw Mr. Palmer, I asked him very civily, whether I or any of my Family had at any time ever offended him or his family, or attempted to prejudice or injure any of them. He with a down, lowering look, habitual to him, doggedly replyed, No - They never had offended him or his. My reason for asking him of the question, I told him, was, his favouring the woman's escape that Robbed me. Without offering of any sort of reason for his Conduct, he only in the same manner repeated his same words, - No, we had never any of us offended him or his. The next Burglary detected, was about a Fortnight after: a man of whom was found The Silver Mug which had no miraculously escaped at the Fire, and a Silver Sause Pan; the man confessed the Fact, was committed to Jail. One of the Magistrates, who was present at the examination and commitment of this man (Benjn. Waller, Esqr, by name, an intimate friend of both Mr. Nelsons) and had not then heard of what manner the woman was let go, but expecting to have fastened the crime upon me, observed to my Daughter who then attended, I not being very well; that he hoped her Father was Page 160. not concerned in letting the Thief escape. But when she set forth the real State of the case, letting his worship know that Mr. Palmer had the sole merit of that transaction, the offence vanished, nor was it then necessary to say one syllable more of the matter; and what was as extraordinary as the rest, in about a fortnight more, this very fellow released out of Prison, without Judge or Jury or any kind of Tryal whatever. Exasperated by such varieties of base injuries, I drew up a long remonstrance of Eight Folios of paper Containing an account of most of the sufferings by unworthy treatment we had endured from the time of our landing at York to that day, Vizt: Feby 4th, 1755, observing likewise, that I had received more foul actions, or behaviour from People who were known to be his Honour's Friends or Dependents, and sometimes under his immediate Eye; than from any other. As you will probably have an opportunity of seeing both it and the answer, I shall not particularly transcribe either, here. I gave vent to some of the bitterness of Spirit, which I had felt, and I did not sometimes refrain imitating his honor's taunting way of writing, not but what I could have been better pleased with myself, could I still have sub- dued my spirit. His honor's answer to mine of Feby 14th, is dated, York, Feby 15th, and contains 12 Folios. The two first of which (sneers excepted) is taken up in vainly labouring to reconcile his behaviour in regard to the Tea, to generosity, Friendship and good nature. He cavils at my saying the Tea deposited as Security became forfeited if the Principal and Interest of the money borrowed thereon was not discharged in Four months; This he affirms being no part of our agreement, and to this I can only appeal to the Instrument in his possession. The money was lent to me, he says, in September, which I believe is very true -- "and no good price (continues he) for the Tea" offering in some time, it was (I think) "in Febry, following that which we came to a bargain for a Chest of it, the rest of the Tea was sent to you at Williamsburg to make the most of, and no security left with me for the ballance of Page 161. L70.6.1 which was paid me by Mrs. Fisher in April following". He triumphantly goes on - "Does not this prove etc?" To all of which, I could have replied: No - it proves nothing but that his honor is utterly mistaken. For the agreement, he says we made for a Chest of Tea in Feby was in the October Court before, and I should presume his own books and book-keeper will attenst that the Chest of Tea was opened and a good deal of it sold long before February. It was indeed in Feby: and not before, that his Honour, in answer to mine informing him that his money was ready to his order, tells me I need not give myself the trouble for the General Court would be time enough. So the money was not paid till March, nor was the Tea removed from his House till after the money was paid. And as to my embarking my whole family in the same bottom with my goods being a reason for my not Claiming the Insurance in my account, appears to me too weak for an answer. But if this money was lent to me at my first motion, as his honour positively affirms, I have then doubtless most egregiously wronged him. What is said about Gooding, setting aside the Sneers, is of very little consequence, and the argument about the Fire is too abstruce for my compre- hension; and as to what is said of Holt's dependency, his honor puts it entirely out of dis- pute. His Honor and Mr. Holt being the only Persons that to my knowledge had ever Charged me, and in the same Phrase almost, with selling Liquors illegally. The one's expression being on "Common Fame" the other's "Reports and Beliefs", and I have defyed both to produce a single instance of the Fact; was, I confess, what chiefly induced me to fancy they had previously talked of the matter. But upon his head, I had, it seems recommended to his honor's con- sideration the words of our Saviour upon the Woman taken in Adultery, when I assure him, that tho' it was not in his power to Convict me of dealing unlawfully with slaves; Yet it was in my power to convict him of doing so. That I myself (who had never been Five times in his Store in my life) had seen a Negro change a Pistole and lay out Page 162. Sixteen Shillings of it in his store in the veriest baubles in the world, where in too he was encouraged and allured by the store-keeper. His honour's arguments being extreme nice and judicious, I will transcribe: "As to dealing with servants and slaves, the Legislature were obliged to forbid everything of the sort, as it was not possible to preserve a distinction between such traffick (if they allowed any) as might be innocent; and that which would be in- jurious to them and their Master's service. Yet doubtless a principal cause of the prohibition was to prevent their being supplyed with Spirituous Liquors which deprive them of their small share of reason and make them untractable and unfit for their servitude; and if they (the Legislature) could have enforced such a distinction I presume they would not have been so cruel as to prohibit their furnishing themselves with such necessaries or trifles as they may incline to buy with the produce of that small portion of labour those unahppy creatures are allowed to devote to their own purposes". "But," (adds his Honor) "I agree with you that the whole is illegal, and therefore no defensible as I do, etc., "I think", (says his Honor, in a paragraph preceding the last) "That the only part of my conduct towards you that can furnish a pretence of suspecting me of ill will or resentment against you, is my letter in which I touched upon the Practice of selling Liquors to Servants and Slaves, and the reason of my doing it was not so much to Convince you that you were not an inoffensive man to Society; as in hopes to give a check to that unprofitable and disagreeable correspondence you had opened with me, etc." As this last wears the face of openess and Truth, I allow it some sort of merit, but surely it would have been more genteel and less severe to have forbit a disagreeable correspondence with the utmost austerity and ill nature, without assigning any reason, rather than to seek for an excuse in ungrounded scandal and defamation (too much the mode of this country) to the ruin of a person's Character, when perhaps it is the only support or comfort he has in the world. There is a sincerity which I don't wholly dislike in his honour's regarding recom- Page 163. mendations as a modern custom only of Shifting from Friend, as it in a great measure accounts for his behaviour towards me, and that for aught I know there may be too much Truth in the observation. Yet I am sure there are some exceptions, and whereas He demands what I expected he should say or do to Bolling, Holt, Palmer, Wetherburn and others who have injured me, I can only repeat what has already been hinted to him. That had any of these people known or believed me to have been in the least degree of favor with his honor, or at all under his protection, not a single soul of them would ever have dared to have wronged or insulted me; Favour, Countenance, and Protection in what was Legal, Just and right, (only) being all I ever craved, hoped or expected. By this, (my good Friend), and much more which you will clearly perceive might have been justly urged, had I been at all ambitious of a dispute or Controversy with this great man: you will be satisfied I indulged no such appetite (supposing I had any such) for quitting all the advantages that Truth and his weak cavils afforded me; I kept my mind almost entirely on the last Paragraph of his letter which was this: "Yet, if you do think of anything, in which I can really serve you, You may freely apply, and laying aside any Resentment you at least may have raised in my breast, I will endeavor to show you how far a gloomy and suspicious temper of mind may lead a man astray, in forming his judgment of another's conduct towards him, I am etc." Instead I say, of imitating by controverting of Facts, some few excepted, relating to the judgment or opinion he had formed on my conduct or character, founded on conjecture or suspicion only; but this with all the delicacy and caution, in my Power, My endeavors were briefly employed in using such arguments as might tend to Mitigate or extinguish the Resent- ment, he seemed, himself so generously inclined to subdue: intimating at last my determination of proceeding to Britain early in the approaching summer (if my circumstances, or ability would allow me to do so). This I sent to him the close of March, or very early in April; and in a letter dated Page 164. York, April 7, 1755, He returned me a kind and very friendly answer; assuring me of his desire of doing any thing in his power to change the face of our affairs, inviting me for that End to some Conversation with him in Williamsburg, that week on the subject proposing in the mean time, to my consideration, my taking a trip to Philadelphia this Spring; it being (as he said) more than probable by the help of a letter which he should give me to a leading man there, I should get into some agreeable Business: That, if 8 or 10 Pistoles were wanting to defray the charge, they were at my command. "Yet after all", (he adds), "if that hope should fail, and I should still desire to embark for England, I will endeavor to make your voyage as easy and of as little expense to you as I can". Tho' many perhaps at my time of Life would have made some difficulty in undertaking such a Journey, I entertained the proposal with the utmost alacrity and satisfaction, and the affair was soon settled and concluded on between us. Tho' I declined taking any money of Mr. Nelson, in order to arm against the worst that might happen, I accepted a draught of Twelve Pistoles on Mr. Allin, the Person I was recommended to; not proposing to produce it unless I was distressed. Mr. Nelson's letter which he gave me open was in the Kindest and warmest of terms that can be conceived; saying also much more in my behalf, than I could either have desired or hoped for. Mr. Walthoe, who neither aimed to retard or encourage this Business; when he found it resolved on, resolved within himself it should not fail for want of his aid; so he furnished me with money, obliging me to take a Doubloon more, after I had received what I had declared fully sufficient; which indeed enabled me to purchase the Horse I was to Ride, that other- wise I should only have hired. My wife, as I was informed (for we never conversed since the falling out with Mr. Nelson) had no good opinion of the adventure, but compared it with that of our coming to Virginia; so I set out without taking any leave of her, or in Truth, on any one of my Family; but as they were unac- Page 165. quainted with the supply I had of Mr. Walthoe, I believe they imagined it was utterly out of my power to have procured. My Horse etc, etc, being overnight prepared at Mr. Lyons, I set out on my Journey on Monday Morning May 12th, 1755, about 4 o'clock, just as Day was breaking. As I lay in a separate Building, detached from the rest of our Habitation and alone; It was easy for me to remove without disturbing any Part of my Family. On Monday May the 12th, 1755 at Day Break, about half an hour after Four in the morning, I left Williamsburg to proceed by God's per- mission to Philadelphia. My Horse tho' of a tolerable size, extremely poor and weak, having in appearance been greatly abused, About Eight o'clock, by a slow Pace, I arrived at Chiswell's Ordinary. Two Planters in the Room, I went into, were at Cards (all Fours) but on my arrival, retired into an inner Room. A letter directed to John Palmer esq. at Williamsburg lay upon a Table, which several Persons who were going thither viewed, but neither of them took of trouble of conveying it as directed; a common neglect, it seems, unless it happens to be an acquaintance, or the Person has a mind to see the Inside of the letter, a Practice often Complained on. I breakfasted on Tea, and gave my Horse some oats, there being no corn, Hay or other Fodder to be had. Set out a little after Nine, past Ashleys, something after Ten, where was a number of Planters at Nine Pins; and came to Claibornes about Twelve. Was an hour in passing here; by making a long slant up the River, upon the account of large marshes. The river is called Pamunkey, being the South branch of York River. After feeding my Horse, I set out again about Two: past Mills Ordinary at Three, where were likewise a great Number of People at Nine Pins, and arrived at "Trapier's Ferry" at half an hour after Three; I had ordered my Horse into the Boat with the View of Passing over, but bieng informed there was no Publick House on the other Side, I took up my Residence for the night here. This River called Mattapony is the North Branch of York River at this place, a mile over. This House is kept by one Page 166. Mrs. Trapier (a widow) and her Son a youth of about (Sixteen) neat and obliging People. For Eating according to my general custom, I would have taken anything that was ready in the House, declining to accept some green Peas, which the good Woman offered me, as I presumed them to be, yet a rarity; but she taking me into the Garden in order to convince me of her having plenty of such as ever wanted gathering, I consented to her motion and she provided me with an excellent supper. My Horse and Self, were extremely well taken care of; and agreeable to her promise, I was put over the River by Four next morning. He records his 1st Days travel the 12th of May, as 30 miles - his Living 6 Shillings and 7 pence and Ferrys 2 shillings. 13th - Got over the water this morning soon after Five; and to Mann's between Eight and Nine, tho' at first setting out I lost my way, and came to the House of one Mr. George Brooke, within view of Mr. George Braxton's. Mr. Brooke behaved very cordially, pressed me to alight, and breakfast with him, from both which, I excused my- self; but accepted a small Dram. He took great pains in describing the different turnings I should meet with, in putting me into my right Road; but perceiving the many crossings and turnings too much for my memory, he stepped into the House and in two minutes, returned with the true ways I was to take, so well delineated upon paper, the distances of remarkable Places, in my ways from each other; forked Roads especially laid down with a discontinuance of that which I should avoid; that before Eight o'clock, I found myself at Mann's, without going a step out of my way to ask a single question. I fed my horse with Hominy Corn, which is Indian corn, pounded in a mortar to take off the husks in order to be boiled in Water for making a kind of food resembling Wheat when prepared for making Turmity. The People of the House, plain honest countenances, baked me what they called an English Hoe Cake, or a Cake made of Wheat Flour, with some good Butter, and as I was provided with Tea and Sugar, with which and Coffee, they happened to be unfirnished, I made an excellent repast. Page 167. I left Mann's soon after nine, and got to R----- a little after Twelve. This Ordinary belongs, it seems, to one Major R-----n a Person of influence in these Parts who obtains a Lysence at the County Court whereof he is himself a Member, and puts into it some Lazy Person or other, at a Salary, or so much per. cent, as is likely to pint off the greatest quantities of Liquors for him. This is a common practice in the Country, by which means, tho' the Proprietor (by the Courtesy) avoids the Reproach of being deemed an Ordinary keeper, and the scandal of what is then transacted; yet he reaps the greatest share of the Profits. The present Deputy of this Mansion, is a bold young Fellow Named D-----. The House has a mean look, standing naked upon a common, without any inclosure (not so much as a Garden) about it. Fodder and Oats I enquired for in Vain; but as he said he had Indian corn, I was obliged to put up on account of my poor Horse who travelled now very faintly, and I was fearful of getting him no farther this Day. My Host whom I by no means liked, had another very impudent Fellow along with him; who on coming in presented me with a part of Glass of Cyder, the relique of a bottle they had been drinking, assuring me it was right English. I declined the favour by telling them, I drank no Cyder; but desired somewhat to eat; and my Land Lord demanding what I would have; I named a Chicken, Eggs, Milk, or such things which I presumed few Houses in the Country could well do without, but nothing of this could be had; my only choice was a piece of broiled rusty Bacon and an Indian Hoe Cake. I desired the Hoe Cake might be got directly, without the Bacon, and in the meantime called for a Bottle of English Beer; a Bottle of which and a large Glass being brought, I drank to my Host, who filling for himself and his Companion left a little only in the bottom of the Bottle (tho' enough for me) which however I proposed to reserve till the Hoe Cake came. Just at this Instant; a young man well behaved Gentleman (whose misfortune it was to have been in these Fellows Company before) alighted, and came in. Him Page 168. they helped off with a bottle of Cyder in the same manner they had done with my Beer. A deal of low, foul obscenity, they used to this young man, who seemed mortified and much ashamed of his acquaintance (the Common consequence of being every familiar with such wretches). As the Gentleman found he was going Nine Miles of my Road, he courteously offered me his Company; and upon my signifying my dread that my Horse would not keep up with his, or indeed go any further that Day, He assured me he would go my pace, adding by way of encouragement, he had often known Horses, seemingly tired, go on briskly upon joining Company. This was doing me a great favor, for I really thought my staying here not safe. So, the Hoe Cake now appearing, I drank up my Beer, paid my reckoning, and set out with the Gentleman, determining to try the utmost my Horse could do, rather than tarry in this place. This absurd Pride, so frequent here for a Justice of Peace or other person of rank, putting a loose Lazy fellow into his Ordinary, with the view of avoiding the reproach of his being himself the Keeper, which in Fact he is; cannot be sufficiently exploded and condemned. For in my humble sense of the matter, the disorders and irregularities committed at such houses, are often time the Conseuqences of very needy circumstances in the Deputy of which the real Landlord takes a base advantage. But the Landlord himself, be he as skulking as he will, betrays herein his real principles, and in the Eye of common sense is accountable for every thing that is done. As my Companion conjectured, my Horse went better than he had done any time on my journey; and tho' it was near Two when we set out, I was at Southerns Ferry, on the South side of the Rappahannock River soon after Four. I was so pleased with the Country and good nature of this young man, that in our travelling together, I inquired his name: He said it was Hill a half Brother to a young man now with Mr. Hornsby in Williamsburg, whose name is Fry; his mother as I have been since informed marrying with the late Col. Page 169. Fry, the author of a very large map of this part of the Continent(1). In coming from Mill's Ordinary, by Trapins, to Southern Ferry; I forceive, by common conpertation, confirmed also by my watch, there is 18 or 20 miles saved, by avoiding the Road by Todds as laid down in the Almanacks; tho' the whole distance does not exceed Forty Miles. I was resolved in my own mind to have rested this night at Southerns, but on my ap- ______________________________________________________________ (1)Col. Joshua Fry married Mrs. Hill, whose maiden name was Mary Micou, daughter of Paul Micou, who was an exile from France to Essex County, Virginia. (Slaughter, Life of Joshua Fry, p. 42). His son, Rev. Henry Fry, went to live with his uncle and aunt in Williamsburg. (Ibid, 84). This "uncle and aunt" were, it appears, Thomas Hornsby and Margaret, his wife, who died respectively in 1772 and 1770. (Virginia Historical Collections, XI., 72). Margaret was his second wife, for on the death of Henry Hacker he married his widow Mary. (QUARTERLY, II., p. 83). In the will of Thomas Hornsby, of Williamsburg, proved June 15, 1772, a legacy of L200 sterling is given to his brother, Joseph Hornsby, and an equal amount to the children of his sister, Ann Robinson, of Craiselound, in the parish of Haxey, near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire. A legacy of L200 current money is given to Henry Fry, son of Joshua Fry. Mention is also made of Jane Patton living at Norton, near Martocks, in Somersetshire, and his nephews Joseph and William Hornsby. Joseph Hornsby, the nephew, married, about 1770, Mildred Walker, daughter of Dr. Thomas Walker and his wife, Mildred Thornton, and to them were born five children: 1, Hannah, born march, 1771, married Thomas Allen; 2, Mildred, born Feb. 20, 1774, married her cousin Nicholas Meriwether Lewis, and died October 20, 1847; 3, Joseph, born March 28, 1777, married Cynthia Allen and had ten children; Joseph W., John A., Anne M., Thomas W., Nicholas Lewis (Dr. Hornsby of St. Louis), Mildred Thornton, Henry Hancock, Dandridge C., William F., and Robert I; 4, Thomas, born January, 1779; married Frances Henderson; 5, Sarah, born Oct., 1780; married John Allen. Mildred Hornsby, daughter of Joseph Hornsby, by her husband Nicholas Meriwether Lewis, had two children: Joseph, who died in youth, and Annah Hornsby Lewis, who married Hancock Taylor. Their daughter, Mary Lewis Taylor, married Archibald Magill Robinson. Joseph Hornsby, after the death of his wife, Mildred Walker, moved to Shelby County, Kentucky, with his children. (Watson, Some Notable Families in America, p. 99). Page 170. proach to the House, it was not more than a mere Hut, full of rude, mean people, and tho' some of their countenances were not quite so unpromising as those I left at Roans, they were attended with this additional discouragement to me, that they were very one, as well as the Land Lord, inflamed with Liquor and exceeding turbulent and noisy; So taking a feed of Corn with me into the Boat, which my Horse eat in his passage, I crossed the River Rappa- hannock not so much as knowing or inquiring who was the real Proprietor of this last dis- orderly place of entertainment. In going over the River about Two miles wide, I could see Leids Town on the other side Two or Three miles up the River, the Place I now intended to rest this night in: but thro' vile direction of the Negroes who put me over the water and would not go up the Bank to set me in the right path; I was very like to have lain in the woods or marshes all the night; and must have done so, but for Two Negroes whom I luckily met with, going home from their work, who put me into a path leading to the Road that way to Leids where I did not arrive till Seven o'clock; and as near as I can guess, after 7 or 8 miles Riding I put up at one Mr. T----ts, esteemed the best Ordinary in Town, and indeed the House and Furniture, has an elegant an appearance, as any I have seen in the country, Mr. Finnays or Wetherbernes in Williamsburg not excepted. The chairs, Tables, &c of the Room I was conducted into, was all of Mahogany, and so stuft with fine large glaized Copper Plate Prints: That I almost fancied myself in Jeffriess' or some other elegant Print Shop. I had the happiness, at my first Coming in of my Landlords Company: who understanding I came from the Metropolis (and the asembly now sitting) gaped after news; he either was or affected to be troubled with the gout, for he came limping in upon a stick; when I had answered all his interrogatories, and he had picked what intelligence out of me he was able, and I calling at First for half a Pint of wine only, he vanished and I could see him no more; tho' I sent twice, (at supper and afterwards) to request the favor of his Company, in hopes naming [of receiving?] in my Page 171. turn, some useful directions, in the ensuing Days Journey. His excuse was, first, indis- position, and afterwards he was gone to Bed; tho' the Boy who lighted me to mine, assured me he was then sitting with his House keeper, and that not one Person had been in the House since my arrival. By what I could hear and perceive myself this Landlord who bears the name of honest Mr. T-----; he like most of his Trade, proportions his regard, to their extravagance, in which respect, I was doubtless, too contemptible for his notice. The Host: he could tell me nothing of Rout I was to take, so that I was now quite destitute of intelligence. This House stands pleasantly upon the North side of the River, and a tolerable garden, seemed to be in as decent order, as most I have seen in America. The method of Single men having House keepers, is esteemed here very reputable and genteel. In the morning while my Breakfast and Horse was getting ready, I sought after some instruction for journey; and as it happened, I found a person up that kepped a store, who gave me such another draught of the road to Hoes Ferry on Potomack River, as Mr. Brooke had favoured me with: Tho' I have been since informed, my true Route was from Southerns on this Rappahannocke River to Lovels Ferry on Potomack River, It being not only a better Road, but I should have saved, at least, Ten or Twelve miles , in the Riding of Thirty, the only objection being That at the Hoes the River is not more than five miles wide; but at Lovels to Cedar Point (in Maryland) it is Eight or Ten, Consequently in windy weather, the passage more difficult and unsafe; but at this time of the year, no great danger was to be apprehended. The Gentleman's name who delineated the Road for me to Hoes Ferry is Thompson. Col. Fendals - Maryland. May 14th, 3d Days ride 24 miles, food four shillings and Ferry 7 1/2 d. Wednesday - It was after six this morning before I left Leeds Town and I did not reach Hoes' till Two o'clock. This was a Dreary Day's Journey, tho but 24 miles, and I found my poor Beast quite tired; The way between Little Ferry and Hoes was very Hilly and Page 172. uneven. Hoes Ferry is so called from the Person who keeps it. One Major Hoe. He asked me at first for a Pass and seemed scrupulous of putting me over for want of one, but on catechis- ing me a little and giving him an account of hte principal [people] in and about Williams- burg, he took four shillings and called his man to get ready the Boat. We were almost two hours in the passage. I landed in Maryland about four in the afternoon, and my horse [as] already observed being greatly fatigued, I led him in my hand to one Col. F----s of whom, there being no Public House in many miles, I craved a Nights intertainment. We had a deal of chat, among others, he mentioned as a grievance the power and influences the Roman Catholicks possess in this Colony; from whence I concluded he is not one himself. He ordered some cold meat and small beer to be set before me, of which I fed heartily, having tasted nothing since I left Leeds Town; but he did not invite me to sup with his Family about 3 hours after, who retired to another room, when I observed several Dishes were privately ushered in; particularly a fine Basin of Strawberries, some of which with a little milk, I should have been very well pleased with; however I went to Bed. This closed my 4th Days ride being 30 miles - cost of food 10,01. Ferry 1, 1/2 d. In the morning Thursday May 15th agreeable to his Promise: I found the Col. up endeavoring to draw me such a sketch of the Road as Mr. Brooke and Mr. Thompson had done, but it was a task he was not equal to; Geography I perceived was not his talent, He recommended me to put a piece of Bread and Cheese in my Pocket, but when I craved Corn for my Horse, he hesitated saying corn began to grow scant; however, he bid the Boy give me Two or Three Ears, who gave me Four. I set out a little after five o'clock, but had not travelled two miles before I lost my way thro'the wrong direction of an old Post and hand on which Annapolis was wrote, that led me into a watery unfrequented Path. I came at length to a very poor Cot in the midst of a small Field of Indian Corn, out of which came a miserable poor, sick woman, with Page 173. two young children almost naked, but they could give me no direction, the woman having never heard of such places as I enquired for. She bid the eldest of the children (a little girl) let me out of the Field the way which she said would lead me into a Path; So I gave the Child Col. Fendal's Bread and cheese, and bent my course as near as I could guess to the North East and had not travelled thus above a mile, before I perceived a Road before me go up a pretty high Hill, to which I made, and was pleased to find it lay in the course which I aimed to have. So I jogged on pretty briskly for three hours, without seeing one mortal, White or Black, till meeting with a poor man he, to my Comfort informed me I was within 4 miles of Bryan Town, and in my right Road. Observing about two hundred yards to my left hand, a tolerable House for this country, I asked the poor man what Person was the owner of it; he told me his name, but advised me not to go out of my way, for tho' he was a man of Substancce, he was a very unhospitable Person. So I kept on to Bryan Town which is no more nor less than one poor Public House, the name of which I must change from Ordinary to Tavern. Here I found a good many people. Some drinking, others playing at Billiards, there being a very poor Table of that sort here. Two young Fellows came to me one after the other to inquire what I would please to drink; but departed instantly upon my declaring for Tea. I had then a youngish light woman attended me whom I took for the Land Lady; but she soon let me know she was only the House keeper, or servant to one of the men I had seen, and that he also was no more than a servant to the other who did not live in the Tavern, tho' came every Day to watch the taking of the money. The Girl informed me too her native Country was Ireland. She provided me some good cake and butter, and with my own Tea, [I did] very well. I left this place (Bryan Town) about twelve, and about Three got to Patuxent Ferry. The River here about a mile Broad, where I crossed [to] Lower Marlboro. I came this Page 174. road at the request of my Fried Mr. Andrew Whyte who engaged me to call upon his Uncle (Mr. John Wardrop) who lived here. Some part of this days ride tho' lonesome, was pretty good travelling, but in some places between Bryan Town and Lower Marlboro' I should think it difficult for wheel carriages to get along. Mr. Wardrop was not at home, As the Negro wench some what churlishly informed me, but just as she had directed me to a Tavern in the Town, I happening to tell her I had a letter from Mr. Whyte to her Master, she desired me to leave my Horse, which she said should be well cared for, and when I had reported myself at the Tavern, She invited me also to came back again and take a Lodging. The Fellow who took my Horse, discovered, at my alighting, that one side of his Belly was sadly galled with the girth, so I gladly embraced the Wenches offer of awaiting Mr. Wardrop's coming home till tomorrow. His house was pleasantly situated on the East N East side of the River, with a good garden, and a large fine Common or Plain, behind it, adjoining to a useful Marsh. Some Woods at a distance afforded an agreeable view from whence morning and Evening I was entertained with the agreeable tho' mournful voice, of what they call the Turtle Dove, and I should incline to think the same is mentioned in Scripture; for hardly anything can be imagined more tenderly mournful. The Tavern as it is here styled, had but indifferent accommodations. Mr. Wardrop did not return the next Day till Five in the Evening, in Company with two Ship Captains. He received me very kindly, inviting me to stay a few Days with him; and one of the Captains assured me, if I would stay till Sunday he would conduct me more than 20 miles on my Road to Annapolis. I consented to wait for him a Day longer. My poor horses' hurt making me not the less yielding. Various Wines, Beer and Punch, with many good eatibles, we had here in great Plenty. 5th Days travel 33 miles - living 7.4 - Ferry, 13 s. On Saturday Evening I importuned my Captain Judd to augment his favor of bearing me Company, by being very early on Horse Back; but he seemed dead to my importunity, Page 175. saying only, he'd warrant we should be time enough; and as to my notion of avoiding the heat of the Day, he said I seemed not to understand the pleasure of sweating in this Country, which he assured me was very healthy; and he would I doubt not if it suited his humor have said the same of a Calendar or burning Fire. In the morning about Eight of Sunday May 18th with much ado I got the Captain on Horse Back having taken leave of our old infirm but kind entertainer Mr. Wardrop. The Captain not- withstanding his promise of riding My Pace, betrayed more than once an inclination to leave me, he being well mounted on a large able Horse: however with much ado, I kept up until we parted beyond Rawlin's. We came to Rawlin's in little more than Three Hours and tarried there until after One o'clock. London Town, (a great name) where I arrived about Three, stands upon the S W side of South River; is composed of a few Houses only. After Crossing this small river not more than half a mile in breadth, Two great Fellows in getting my Horse out of their (Browns) Boat, threw him upon his back in the water; and tho' he lay at least a minute on his side in the water, the Boat beating on him, he received no damage. I came to Annapolis about Four in the Afternoon and as the Ferry Boat was just then setting out to cross the Bay, (a 12 mile passage) I had no time to observe this metropolis of Mary- land, which notwithstanding its seeming advantageous situation on the Bay; does not appear to me even so large as Williamsburg, nor has the Publick Buildings so good a look. We had a fair but very gentle gale over the Bay, which took us up more than Three Hours, yet it seemed a good passage; for tho' it is said a passage has been made here in an hour and a half, it as frequently happens, that a Day or Two or more is spent in crossing or waiting. On our arrival at Hutchings, In Kent Island, on the Eastern Shore, for want of convenience (a smaller flat, for instance) and it being low water, we could not approach the firm Land, but being set upon a Marsh, within about a furlong or less, of Hutchings House, was obliged to go round upwards of Page 176. Three miles, before we could come to the House. And in Crossing a small muddy gulley between the marsh and the firm ground, the Person's Horse who was with me, was very near being mired; being got out with great difficulty. My horse likewise had several bad plunges and hard struggles. This day my 6th Day of travel of 36 miles, cost of living 6.9 - and Ferry 1.6 pence. (To be concluded in next issue).